Digital twin of Singapore’s port to be tested in second half of 2025
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Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai said the port’s digital twin will help simulate various scenarios and model how pollutants are spread.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE – A dynamic real-time virtual model of the Port of Singapore, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), will be trialled in the second half of 2025.
Integrating live data from vessels, port operations and environmental sensors, this digital twin will improve navigational safety, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on March 24.
It is expected to enhance situational awareness and emergency response to oil and chemical spills, noted the authority.
Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai said the port’s digital twin will simulate various scenarios and model how pollutants are spread.
He announced its launch on March 24 at the opening ceremony of Singapore Maritime Week (SMW), at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.
MPA noted that the virtual model will tap the authority’s operational data as well as publicly available data sets on vessel information, geographical data for the sea and around the port, and weather information.
Through AI and predictive analysis, the digital twin could strengthen safety management and emergency response through scenario planning for incidents such as oil and chemical spills, in addition to aiding decision-making during such incidents, said MPA.
Predictive analysis refers to the use of data to forecast trends and events.
The virtual model will enhance standard operating procedures for the safe bunkering – or refuelling – of alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia, said Mr Murali.
“This will enable the development of tools to optimise port efficiency and reliability above, at and below the sea surface,” he added.
The digital twin will use live aerial drone footage to develop situational awareness for operations such as drone delivery, inspection of vessel decks and incident management, said MPA.
It will also tap MPA’s system to provide real-time vessel activity and status updates, allowing for better planning and resource deployment by service providers.
The authority said this will reduce waiting times, improve efficiency and minimise turnaround times for companies providing services to the vessels.
With real-time weather visualisation, MPA said, the digital twin enables the Port of Singapore to plan ahead and reduce weather-related delays, in addition to enhancing worker and vessel safety.
Developed by MPA in partnership with the Government Technology Agency of Singapore, research institutes and industry partners, the digital twin will be rolled out to the wider industry progressively, said Mr Murali.
He added that MPA can extend it to the global maritime ecosystem in future through its green and digital shipping corridors with other countries and ports.
The authority added that access to the system will be carefully managed, and its extension to the wider industry, maritime researchers and academia will be based on identified uses.
At present, the digital twin replicates Singapore’s port waters, including its anchorages, piers, ferry terminals and port terminals, said MPA. As more uses are identified, the platform will be expanded to include visualisation of more assets, it said.
(From left) Mr Ho Yenn Jie, 36, assistant director of the Smart City Technology Division at GovTech Singapore; Ms Karen Kee Tze Ling, 45, deputy executive director and head of digital translation at Singapore Maritime Institute; and Mr Lester Kum, 45, deputy director of development and innovation for tech productisation and operations at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, have been developing the Singapore port’s digital twin since 2024.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Certain ports in other countries, such as the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium and Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, have digital twins in place to optimise port operations and prevent incidents such as ship collisions.
Also among the announcements made during SMW was an improvement to the Tripartite Maritime Training Award (TMTA), which helps mid-career individuals gain skills and certification for their transition to seafaring roles as third officers and fifth engineers on foreign-going ships.
The improvements include a reduction in training duration from 31 to 22 months through a streamlined curriculum, an increase in the monthly training allowance from $1,200 to $2,200, and a structured mentorship programme by experienced seafarers.
Mr Murali said: “These enhancements will grow our pipeline of local seafarers, who bring valuable expertise to the industry and are critical to filling leadership positions at sea and ashore.”
Applications for the TMTA will open in April.
Captain Thaniarasu Sannasi, 41, was once a student under the TMTA in 2011.
Having progressed to become a marine manager, Capt Thaniarasu said the enhanced award would be attractive to mid-career switchers, especially with the substantial increase in the monthly training allowance.
He added that the TMTA draws up a definite career path for aspiring maritime professionals and ensures career progression within the sector. “All the students need to do is turn up... and put in some hard work,” he said.
High-level officials who attended the SMW opening ceremony included government ministers such as France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot, who spoke at a panel discussion on the decarbonisation and digitalisation of the maritime industry.
Mr Tabarot told The Straits Times that France is hoping to boost long-term collaborative efforts with Singapore in various areas, including the renewal of an agreement between the maritime sectors of the two countries and the strengthening of cooperation between their harbours.
Beyond the maritime sector, Mr Tabarot said he is exploring France-Singapore partnerships in air traffic control training. He is also seeking opportunities for French involvement in the operation of people-mover trains at the upcoming Changi Airport Terminal 5.
Providing an update on MPA’s move to waive a security deposit or banker’s guarantee for shipping companies with lower credit risks,
Before April 1, 2024, MPA required ocean-going vessels calling at Singapore’s port and billed more than $5,000 annually to furnish a security deposit or banker’s guarantee.
On the decarbonisation front, the authority will launch a new technical reference later in the week of March 24, to set guidelines for the development and operation of charging and battery-swop systems for electric harbour craft.
On March 27, the fourth day of SMW, a new Talent@SMW segment will take place at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, for students, early-career professionals and mid-careerists to connect with career and skills development opportunities in the maritime sector.
The 19th edition of SMW, running from March 24 to 28, is expected to have more than 20,000 attendees from almost 80 countries.
It features an exhibition with four thematic zones showcasing maritime innovation and technology, maritime decarbonisation, and maritime services and talent, along with booths from various countries. The exhibition will be held at the convention and exhibition centre from March 25 to 27.
MPA is also hosting public tours available for booking
Some maritime vessels, including the Police Coast Guard’s patrol craft and MPA’s hydrographic survey vessel Mata Ikan, are on display in the waters near the Singapore Maritime Gallery in Marina South.
SMW is an SG60 event to mark Singapore’s 60th birthday and showcase the nation’s role as a global hub port.
